TOP 10 : Things to do in SXM

The Top 10 Things to Do in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin

Choosing the top activities to do in Sint Maarten while staying at The Hills Residence for your vacation rentals was a challenging decision due to the abundance of beautiful beaches available. Yet, we have managed to select the following 10 activities as our top recommendations after thorough research and consideration.

1

Orient Bay Beach

Located on the northern coast of Sint Maarten, Orient Bay is one of the most popular beaches on the island. With white sand and stunning turquoise waters, it’s a perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, or simply lounging in the sun. It’s also home to aMullet Bay is widely known as the top beach in Sint Maarten, renowned for its calm and crystal clear waters, white sands, and lush vegetation. Located in the sheltered western part of St. Martin, it’s an ideal spot to go snorkeling, paddle boarding or just swimming and enjoying the warm waters.

orient bay beach sxm

2

Maho Beach

Maho Beach is a popular spot for visitors, especially those who love to watch planes take off and land from the nearby Princess Juliana International Airport. The beach is located on the island’s Dutch side near the runway of this busy airport at 10 mn of The Hills Residence and provides views of some of the most stunning sunsets in Sint Maarten. The beach is a great spot for watching planes, but you can also enjoy swimming, snorkeling and taking in the breathtaking views of the nearby island of St. Barts

Maho Beach the hills residence vacation rentals sint maarten

3

Pinel Island

Located off the eastern coast of Sint Maarten, Pinel Island is a small but picturesque Caribbean paradise. It offers white sand beaches, clear blue waters, and an array of tropical fish for snorkeling. Visitors can enjoy a picnic on the beach or take part in water sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and windsurfing. The island is also home to 2 restaurants bars where visitors can eat fresh lobsters at day  and relax with drinks while watching the sunset.

pinel island sxm the hills vacation rentals simpson bay sint maarten

4

Philisburg

The capital city of Sint Maarten is Philipsburg, located on the Dutch side of the island. It offers a great selection of shops, restaurants and bars, as well as a vibrant nightlife scene. Visitors can take part in activities such as scuba diving, sailing or fishing, or simply take a stroll along the boardwalk and admire the gorgeous views of Philipsburg Bay.

5

Lottery Farm Point

Lottery Farm Point is an excellent spot for watching sunsets as it overlooks Pic Paradis, Sint Maarten’s highest mountain peak. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding island including turquoise waters, lush green forests, and the bay of Philipsburg. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic with friends or family while admiring the view from this incredible vantage point.

6

Little Bay

One of Sint Maarten’s most beautiful beaches is Little Bay, which offers white sand and shallow blue waters that are perfect for swimming. Located on the western side of the island, it’s a great spot to relax and take in the stunning views of nearby St. Barts. The beach is also known for its variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, making it an ideal place to spend a day or night with friends or family.

little bay beach sxm

7

Butterfly Farm

Sint Maarten is home to a unique Butterfly Farm, located in Philipsburg. It’s an ideal destination for families, as visitors can observe more than 5,000 butterflies up close and learn about their lifecycle. The farm also offers educational tours and workshops that are both entertaining and informative. A Must do during your stay at the Hills Residence!

8

Marigot

Marigot is one of the largest cities in Sint Maarten and is located on the French side of the island. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon, as it offers an array of shops, restaurants, and bars. There’s also a beautiful waterfront promenade that provides stunning views of Marigot Bay and the nearby islands. 

9

Philipsburg Boardwalk

The Philipsburg Boardwalk is a great option for those looking to explore Sint Maarten in a unique way. This popular pedestrian-only area offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and features an array of shops, restaurants, and bars. Visitors can also take part in activities such as snorkeling or kayaking while admiring the views of the island. 

10

Fort Amsterdam

Located near Philipsburg Bay close to the Hills Residence, Fort Amsterdam is a great place to visit for history buffs. It’s an old Dutch fort that dates back to the 17th century and offers stunning views of Philipsburg. Visitors can explore the fort, take part in a guided tour or simply admire its impressive architecture.

More about Sint Maarten...

Follow Us

Enjoy Sunset in SXM

Enjoy Sunset in St Maarten
will make you fall in love with our Friendly Island.

Sint Maarten is home to some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. A great spot for watching the sunset during your stay at The Hills Residence Vacation Rentals is Fort Louis in Philipsburg. Located on a hilltop with breathtaking views of Great Bay, the panoramic view of the sky is spectacular. It’s a great place to watch the colors of the sky change as the sun sets over the horizon. Not only can you watch the sun set, but you can also take stunning photos that will last a lifetime. From Fort Louis, you can see numerous other islands in the distance which makes it an even more romantic spot for couples wanting to enjoy each other’s company in an idyllic setting. The atmosphere at Fort Louis is very relaxed and peaceful when watching the sunset with locals and tourists alike gathering together to experience this amazing sight. There’s something truly special about witnessing one of nature’s greatest shows from this vantage point as you bask in its beauty.

Sunset in Sint Maarten from the Beach...

Sint Maarten is one of the Caribbean’s best destinations for watching a stunning sunset. With its palm-fringed beaches, azure waters, and vibrant culture, Sint Maarten is a prime spot for enjoying breathtaking sunsets. One of the most popular places to watch the sunset is Long Bay Beach, located on the French Side of the island. Long Bay offers colorful sunsets with views of Simpson Bay Lagoon and Philipsburg in one direction and Mullet Bay and Marigot in the other. Bring a picnic blanket, lounge chair, or even an umbrella to set up on the beach and enjoy the beautiful sky as it turns shades of pink, orange, yellow, purple, and red. As day transitions into night and casts shadows over Simpson Bay Lagoon’s yachts, you can sip cocktails from nearby bars or restaurants while watching the show until it ends with a magical display of stars in an ink-black sky.

 

Mullet Bay Beach very close to The Hills Residence Vacation Rentals is also a great spot to watch breathtaking sunsets over Sint Maarten’s coastline. The calm waters here are perfect for swimming during the day before you settle down on sandy shores with your cocktail to watch as nature paints its own masterpiece in vivid hues across the skies at dusk. Whether you choose to sit alone or with friends and family, you won’t regret spending some time appreciating this idyllic part of St. Maarten and all its beauty as yet another day draws to a close at Mullet Bay Beach’s world-famous sunset show!

Sunset in Sint Maarten from the Mountains...

Pic Paradis, located on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten at 20mn drive of The Hills Residence Vacation Rentals, offers one of the most breathtaking views for a sunset. From the Lottery Farm viewpoint, visitors can marvel at the brilliant colors as the sun dips below the horizon. The panoramic view encompasses Turquoise waters and lush green forests that make up Saint Martin’s beauty.

The perfect spot to take in the scenery are benches and lounge chairs that are available inLottery Farm. Visitors can also choose to take their own picnic blanket or basket filled with food and drinks to enjoy while they take in one of nature’s greatest shows. As dusk approaches, visitors will be able to watch a wide array of wildlife come out searching for food such as iguanas and small monkeys.

In addition to watching the sun set, there is much more to do around Pic Paradis before night falls. There are many trails leading into different areas within Lottery Farm where people can explore some of Sint Maarten’s best kept secrets. With its diverse flora and fauna, it is easy to get lost in nature while admiring all that it has to offer. After enjoying a day outdoors and watching the sky light up with oranges and purples during sunset, it is always nice to end your day with a cocktail from the Lottery Farms Restaurant.

Pic Paradis is truly a magical place for any tourist looking for something special when visiting Sint Maarten. Whether you’re taking pictures of an unforgettable sunset or exploring nature trails full of surprises, this spot will be sure to create memories that will last forever!

Sunset in a Boat

For those looking for a more romantic atmosphere, there are plenty of options for a sunset charter. Many local companies offer private charters with champagne or other beverages to enjoy while watching the sun set from the southern part of the island. These private charters provide a secluded and intimate setting with breathtaking views of both Long Bay and Mullet Bay.

The best way for a sunset in Sint Maarten is undoubtedly by boat. As the sun sets, the sky is illuminated by vivid hues of pink, orange, and red. The golden sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters create an idyllic backdrop that few places can match. What’s more, the cruise offers views of nearby islands such as Anguilla and St Barts. If you’re lucky enough to catch a green flash off the horizon (an optical phenomenon caused by refraction), then you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable experience!

No matter what type of sunset experience you’re looking for during your stay at The Hills Residence Vacation Rentals, Sint Maarten has something for everyone – from beautiful beaches to private charters with champagne – making it one of the best places in the Caribbean to watch the sun go down on an unforgettable night!

tips and advices sint maarten vacation rentals simpson bay the hills residence

Follow Us

Discover the Prettiest Beaches in SXM

The Top 7 beaches of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin
will make you fall in love with our Friendly Island.

Voting for the top beaches in Sint Maarten you should visit during your vacation rentals at The Hills Residence was not an easy task, with so many stunning shorelines to choose from. However, after careful consideration and research, we have voted for the following seven beaches as our top picks.

simpson bay beach the hills residence vacation rentals

Simpson Bay

First up is Simpson Bay Beach, located on the southwestern side of the island. This beach is a secluded stretch of white sand and clear turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and sunning. The area also features plenty of restaurants, bars and activities like jet-skiing, parasailing, and sailing. The Beach is at 2mn drive of The Hills Residence Vacation Rentals and the parking is free!

Mullet Bay

Mullet Bay is widely known as the top beach in Sint Maarten, renowned for its calm and crystal clear waters, white sands, and lush vegetation. Located in the sheltered western part of St. Martin, it’s an ideal spot to go snorkeling, paddle boarding or just swimming and enjoying the warm waters.

 

The beach offers plenty of activities, with a number of local restaurants offering a wide variety of Caribbean dishes. For something more luxurious, visitors can try the newly opened restaurant Kalatua—it’s definitely worth the visit!

beaches sint maarten the hills residence vacation rentals simpson bay vacation rentals
beaches the hills residence vacation rentals and shopping center simpson bay sint maarten saint martin

Maho

Maho Beach, located on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, is an iconic beach vacation spot that attracts visitors from around the world. Its popularity is attributed to its proximity to Princess Juliana International Airport, where travelers can witness planes landing and taking off right above their heads. From the beach’s white sands, sunbathers can take in the unique spectacle while sipping a cold beer from one of the nearby beach bars. Whether its breathtaking views, an unforgettable sunset experience or excitement Maho Beach is sure to provide an unforgettable getaway. 

Long Bay

One of the longest white sand beaches of the island, Baie Longue is only accessible through the La Samana hotel or by entering the Terre Basses residence. This is why the beach is usually not crowded, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for the hotel guests at La Samana.

This beach also has one of the clearest crystal blue waters of the island, being a must-see spot for the boat charters while going around the island.

Orient Bay

Also known as the Saint -Tropez of the Caribbean, this beautiful beach is located on the north-west side of the island, and is very popular among the locals and tourists, due to the many beach restaurants, and water sports activities, such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, foiling, jet skiing and many others.
This is the spot to go to if you want to eat well and spend the day with your feet in the water while trying new sports.

Grand-Case

The beach is alongside the fishing village and is very known for its restaurants, beach clubs, and cute wooden houses. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy the calm water while spending the afternoon in a beach restaurant. The view is also particularly amazing, as you can see Anguilla, the neighbor island.

Great Bay

Great Bay Beach and the well-known boardwalk that runs alongside it are located in Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten. Great Bay Beach gives St. Maarten the distinction of being the only capital city on a beach in the entire world!
Great Bay Beach is one of St. Maarten/St. Martin’s busiest and most cosmopolitan beaches as a result of this combination. The beach offers opportunities for a day at the shore, water activities, and wonderful lunch spots. Both can be combined with Frontstreet’s fantastic retail options. Amust do while you stay at The Hills Residence Vacation Rentals.

Follow Us